Art installations highlight the importance of car pooling

To create awareness about the importance of car pooling, Baroda-based artist Amarnath Sharma has created two of the largest public art sculptures on the issue in India.
Besides using the "power of art to send subliminal messages and reiterate the importance of car pooling," the installations also attempt to serve as "landmark works of art in the city and bring art to the public."
Titled "In-transit" and "Make Over," the sculptures sized 30 feet by 12 feet and 12 feet by 4 feet respectively are located in Phoenix Marketcity here.
Even though the installations focus on the grim problem of traffic jams, Sharma has made the works bright and colourful to make them interactive and appealing to the viewers.

'In-transit' serves as a mirror to the society by showcasing the alarming situation of road traffic, while also warning about the impending problems if one does not watch out. The art work showcases a vertical wall with innumerable cars moving haphazardly creating a chaotic situation on road.
The other installation delves into the "concept of jam versus freedom" by showcasing jammed road going upwards at an angle ending abruptly.

"It urges us to take necessary action today. Our uncertain future is waiting for us at the end of the road. Cars are falling from the top of the road and getting converted into scrap pieces," says Gajendra Singh Rathore, Centre Director, Phoenix Marketcity.

Rathore has also curated the two art installations.
"We try to create awareness on various social causes and environmental sustainability initiatives for our patrons. We believe in promoting causes which require immediate attention and have always favoured the artistic route to do so," he says.
According to the local police authorities traffic jams not only add to public menace but also degrade the environment.
"Traffic jams are a common scenario in Bengaluru and other metros as well. Along with being inconvenient to the public, frequent traffic jams also cause huge dents in our pockets and on the environment.
"Carpooling is one of the ways in which people can benefit both as individuals and as a community as a whole. We are delighted where art is being used to send the message," says Sachin P Borpade, Assistant Commissioner of Police - Traffic East.